On the evening of March 22, British Navy Minister Churchill secretly departed for America aboard a Royal Navy destroyer. The choice of a destroyer was deliberate, as its remarkable speed—nearly thirty knots—would allow Churchill to reach American shores in less than three days.
Initially, Prime Minister Asquith intended for the British ambassador to negotiate the purchase of American battleships. However, Churchill declined this arrangement. He believed it would be exceedingly difficult to persuade the American government to agree to the sale of their warships, as such discussions would inevitably involve complex negotiations over national interests. A mere ambassador, in all likelihood, lacked the authority to engage the Americans effectively.
As a vital member of the British Cabinet and the Empire's naval minister, Churchill was ideally positioned to advocate for the acquisition of battleships. He was confident in his ability to convince the Americans to meet their requests.
Churchill embarked on this journey with the hopes of the entire British Cabinet resting upon him. They all anticipated that his visit would yield success. Forming a joint fleet with the Americans was a crucial step; without securing battleships, any alliance with France and Italy would prove inadequate against Germany. Thus, should Churchill fail, the entire plan would collapse.
As one of the world's major powers, the United States was keenly interested in the naval confrontation between Britain and Germany. Immediately after the outcome of the battle became apparent, the American embassy in London and various intelligence agents set about gathering detailed information. By the time Churchill received a telegram from the fleet, the Americans had already pieced together a clear account of the naval engagement, which they promptly relayed back home.
Upon receiving the telegram, U.S. Navy Secretary Daniels was momentarily stunned. The U.S. Navy had conducted extensive analyses and simulations regarding the Anglo-German naval duel, and they had assessed that the German fleet held a significant advantage. Nonetheless, the British Navy had ruled the seas for centuries, endowing it with formidable capabilities. Consequently, they predicted that even if the Germans emerged victorious, they would undoubtedly incur severe losses.
This outcome was advantageous for America; a weakened German Navy would no longer pose a threat. Moreover, the U.S. could potentially exploit this situation to undermine Germany further.
As an emerging power, the United States shared with Germany the ambition to dismantle the colonial systems established by Britain, France, and others, thereby securing greater benefits for itself. However, the U.S. could not permit Germany to win this war; a strong Germany was far more threatening to American interests than a weakened Britain or France.
If possible, the Americans hoped to align with the Allies to ensure Germany's defeat. Once German ambitions were quashed, they would proceed to supplant Britain as the world's preeminent power.
Unfortunately, the Allies' performance during this conflict had been dismal. The U.S. had little confidence that joining the fray would yield victory. Thus, they needed to deliberate carefully.
Given the threat Germany posed, the United States, despite its reluctance, was compelled to maintain neutrality. Consequently, the American government closely monitored the naval battle. If Germany were to lose, or sustain heavy casualties rendering it unable to blockade Britain, American support for Britain could swiftly resume. Regrettably, the battle's outcome left the Americans once again stunned; their elaborate plans appeared ludicrous in the face of the German Navy's decisive victory.
"My God! How could the Germans be so formidable? The British have dominated the seas for centuries—how could they be so easily defeated, and at such great cost?" Secretary Daniels struggled to comprehend the result.
He immediately instructed personnel at the U.S. Navy Department to contact their British counterparts to verify the authenticity of this intelligence before reporting back to President Wilson.
An hour later, Daniels confirmed the accuracy of the information, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"The Germans are astonishingly powerful, powerful enough to defeat the British so easily. It appears the United States must not engage Germany until it possesses a sufficiently robust military. Otherwise, we are bound to fail," Daniels sighed.
Although the United States had significant industrial strength, its military capability remained lacking. While they had begun to recognize this issue and bolster their military buildup, such efforts could not be realized overnight. Meanwhile, Germany combined its industrial prowess with the world's most formidable army and navy, making its overall strength far superior to that of the United States.
Even though it was late in the evening on the East Coast, Secretary Daniels made his way to the White House to brief President Woodrow Wilson on the results of the Anglo-German naval conflict.
"Mr. President, just hours ago, the Germans and British decisively determined the outcome in the North Sea," Daniels reported.
President Wilson nodded. "If I am not mistaken, it was the Germans who emerged victorious, given their overwhelming advantages at sea."
"Yes, Mr. President. The Germans have triumphed in this naval battle, which signifies that the German Navy will supplant the British as the maritime hegemon. I advise maintaining strict neutrality in this war; provoking the Germans could yield dire consequences," Daniels warned, his expression grave.
Wilson paused, then seemed to realize something. "What do you mean? Did the Germans achieve a resounding victory?"
"Indeed, Mr. President. The Germans defeated the Royal Navy at an exceedingly minimal cost. In this engagement, they lost only one battleship, with several others heavily damaged. In contrast, they sank twenty-two British battleships and five battlecruisers, while also inflicting severe damage on three additional British battleships and one battlecruiser," Daniels detailed.
President Wilson's jaw dropped, nearly capable of accommodating his fist.